The Violins of 2018

There is a deep and enduring bond between musicians and the instruments they play. Musicians probably spend more time in the company of their instruments than with their family and friends. The understanding between musician and instrument is the heart of any great performance.

If the instrument is old, then the musician becomes the custodian of its history and all the love and nurturing that previous musicians have put into its playing. If the instrument is new then the musician become the guide, the explorer helping the instrument to grow and develop its own character.

In 2018, Sydney Mozart Society audiences were able to see  and hear many beautiful instruments on stage, particularly the violins.  

A nice way to end 2018 is to look back at rehearsal photos and see those violins with their lovely curves, their elegant necks and scrolls, the glow of their varnish, their mellow patina of age, and remember how much they contributed to our enjoyment of great music.

 

helen ayres violin

 Helen Ayres of the Seraphim Trio plays a 1940 violin crafted by Arthur Edward Smith, widely
regarded as Australia's most important  stringed instrument maker.  His instruments are a
significant part of Australian music history. 

 

Daniel Dodds violin

Daniel Dodds appeared in our  Australian World Orchestra Chamber Ensemble concert.
Daniel is Concertmaster and Artistic Director of the renowned Festival Strings Lucerne.
He plays the Stradivari “ex Baumgartner” from 1717 provided by the Foundation of the
Festival Strings Lucerne.

 

simone slattery

Simone Slattery of the Australian Haydn Ensembles plays a Claude Pierray violin,
1726, Paris.

 

Emma Jardine Violin

Emma Jardine of the Streeton Trio plays a violin made by Dennis Cormier, Montreal
Canada in 2007. Emma is the violin's first owner and feels that it is a special
experience for violinist and violin to grow in understanding of each other and the
music they create together.

 

Matthew Greco Violin

Matthew Greco of the Australian Hayden Ensemble plays a violin made by David Christian
Hopf, 1760, Qwittenbach. Through research into how the instrument was created and
how it was intended to be played, Matthew  brings an added depth to performances,
aiming for a sound that is convincing, beautiful and moving for audiences.

 

                                     Photos and text: Charmain Boyakovsky 

Posted on Thursday, 27 December 2018 at 7pm